Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City was far from straightforward. Enzo Maresca admitted that the Foxes’ unexpected switch to a back-five forced him to abandon his initial game plan, throwing all the pre-match preparations “in the rubbish.”

Given this sudden tactical challenge, did Maresca simply get lucky, or was Marc Cucurella’s moment of brilliance the defining factor?

Maresca’s Tactical Dilemma

The Chelsea boss had meticulously prepared for a Leicester side that typically lined up with a back four. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy surprised everyone by deploying five defenders, creating an immediate problem for Maresca’s side.

“You need a new plan,” Maresca admitted. “So, before the warm-up, we had to give the players a new plan, and this is why I was so happy because the way the players adapted was top, fantastic.”

Adapting on the fly is never easy, and while Chelsea controlled possession, they struggled to break down Leicester’s deep defensive block.

Cucurella’s Decisive Strike

With the game finely balanced, Marc Cucurella produced the winning moment, scoring a goal that even he admitted was out of character.

“Usually, I wouldn’t shoot in that situation,” Cucurella confessed. “But here I tried it, and thankfully, it found the corner.”

His well-taken effort ultimately secured the three points, but the question remains—was this a product of Chelsea’s adaptation under Maresca, or was it simply a case of individual brilliance rescuing an otherwise difficult performance?

Tactical Adaptation or Pure Luck?

While Maresca deserves credit for guiding his players through an unexpected tactical challenge, it would be naive to call Chelsea’s performance a tactical masterclass. The Blues lacked attacking fluidity for large parts of the match, and were it not for Cucurella’s strike, Leicester’s defensive approach could have frustrated them.

At the same time, it wasn’t purely luck either. Maresca’s ability to adjust in real time and get his team to execute a revised plan was crucial. But without Cucurella’s audacious strike, Chelsea may not have found a way through.

Verdict: A Bit of Both

Maresca’s adaptability played a role, but Chelsea’s win hinged on a moment of individual brilliance. Luck may have played its part, but when the opportunity came, Cucurella took it—proving that sometimes, all it takes is one decisive moment to turn a tactical headache into three valuable points.